Concealed handle and air conditioning device with the same

ABSTRACT

An air conditioning device, which may be a dehumidifier or a movable air conditioner, has a main body and at least one concealed handle. Each concealed handle has a case, a cover, and a moving structure. The case has a finger accommodating space and a finger inserting opening communicating with each other. The movable cover is movably mounted in the finger inserting space in the case of the concealed handle, and thus the user&#39;s fingers can push to move the cover and then insert into the finger accommodating space to conveniently move or lift the main body. When not in use, the cover is pushed back by a resilient element of the moving structure, and then the cover is disposed in the finger inserting opening to cover the finger accommodating space, which enhances the aesthetic appeal and avoids dirt accumulation in the finger accommodating space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a concealed handle and an air conditioning device with the same, especially to a concealed handle on an outer casing for conveniently moving an air conditioning device such as a dehumidifier or a movable air conditioner.

2. Description of the Prior Arts

For conveniently moving a heavy home appliance such as a dehumidifier or a movable air conditioner, an outer casing of the home appliance is usually installed with a handle for a user to conveniently move the home appliance. An ordinary handle is usually pivotally connected to the outer casing of the home appliance and is for hanging up. However, the hanging type handle is obviously exposed out of the outer casing, which may affect the aesthetic appeal of the home appliance. Therefore, the home appliance which has special design in its appearance is usually installed with a concealed handle to replace the exposed hanging type handle.

The concealed handle is usually installed on a side wall of the home appliance. There is a recess concaved in the outer casing toward the home appliance for the user's fingers to insert in. When the user wants to move or lift the home appliance, he can insert his fingers into the recess to conveniently apply force to move or lift the home appliance.

However, the concealed handle needs to be wide and deep enough for the fingers to insert, but the width and the depth make the concealed handle obvious in sight, which still affects the aesthetic appeal. Besides, the inside of the recess is also easy to accumulate dirt, which not only further affects the aesthetic appeal, but also causes hygienic problems.

As a result, the conventional concealed handle needs to be improved.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a concealed handle and an air conditioning device with the same to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a concealed handle and an air conditioning device with the same that can enhance the aesthetic appeal and can solve the problem of dirt accumulation.

The concealed handle has a case, a cover, and a moving structure. The case has an end panel, a surrounding panel, and an abutting flange. The surrounding panel is formed on a side surface of the end panel, and surrounds the end panel to form a finger accommodating space and a finger inserting opening communicating with the finger accommodating space. The abutting flange protrudes out of an edge of the finger inserting opening. The cover is disposed in the finger inserting opening and is movable toward the end panel in the finger accommodating space. Two opposite surfaces of the cover are respectively a cover inner surface and a cover outer surface. The moving structure is mounted between the cover and the end panel of the case. The moving structure has at least one resilient element pushing the cover away from the end panel.

The air conditioning device comprises a main body and at least one concealed handle mentioned above. The main body has at least one handle mounting hole formed on at least one side wall of the main body. The at least one concealed handle is mounted in the at least one handle mounting hole on the at least one side wall of the main body. A surface, which is towards the end panel, of the abutting flange of the case of the at least one concealed handle abuts an opening edge of the at least one handle mounting hole.

Since the movable cover is movably mounted in the finger inserting space in the case of the concealed handle, the user's fingers can push to move the cover and then insert into the finger accommodating space to conveniently move or lift the main body. When the user does not push the cover, the cover is pushed back by the resilient element, and then the cover is disposed in the finger inserting opening to cover the finger accommodating space. As such, the finger accommodating space of the concealed handle is hidden behind the cover and is not exposed (the recess on the outer casing of the concealed handle is not exposed), which enhances the aesthetic appeal of the main body. Further, the cover also prevents dirt from entering the finger accommodating space from the finger inserting opening, which avoids dirt accumulation in the finger accommodating space.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioning device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded perspective view of the air conditioning device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a concealed handle in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial exploded perspective view of the concealed handle in

FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view in partial section of the concealed handle in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the air conditioning device in FIG. 1, showing the concealed handle;

FIG. 7 is a side view in partial section of the concealed handle in FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are side views in partial section of the concealed handle in FIG. 3 showing the movement of a cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an air conditioning device in accordance with the present invention comprises a main body A and two concealed handles B (only one of the two concealed handles B is shown in the figures due to the schematic angle). In a preferred embodiment, the concealed handle B is installed on an air conditioning device, but it is not limited thereto. The concealed handle B also may be installed on other type of devices. In a preferred embodiment, the air conditioning device of the present invention is a dehumidifier, but it is not limited thereto. The air conditioning device may be various kinds of home appliances for cooling down the indoor temperature (air conditioner), heating the indoor temperature (heater) or filtering air (air purifier) to enhance the indoor comfort.

Two opposite side walls of the main body A are respectively formed with a handle mounting hole A1 (only one of the two handle mounting holes A1 is shown in the figures due to the schematic angle). The two concealed handles B are respectively mounted in the two handle mounting holes A1 on the two side walls of the main body A. In another preferred embodiment, the main body A also can be implemented with only one handle mounting hole A1 and only one concealed handle B.

With referenced to FIGS. 2 to 5, each concealed handle B has a case 10, a cover 20, and a moving structure.

The case 10 has an end panel 11, a surrounding panel 12, and an abutting flange 13. The surrounding panel 12 is formed on a side surface of the end panel 11, and the surrounding panel 12 surrounds the end panel 11 to form a finger accommodating space 121 and a finger inserting opening 122 communicating with each other. The abutting flange 13 protrudes out of an edge of the finger inserting opening 122. The abutting flange 13 preferably surrounds the edge of the finger inserting opening 122 and forms a loop. A surface, which is towards the end panel 11, of the abutting flange 13 is defined as a main body abutting surface 131, and the main body abutting surface 131 abuts an opening edge of the handle mounting hole A1.

In a preferred embodiment, a main body engaging segment 124 protrudes out of an outer surface of the surrounding panel 12. The main body engaging segment 124 and the abutting flange 13 are spaced apart from each other. An annular flange A2 protrudes from an edge of an inner opening (the opening adjacent to the inner side of the main body A) of the handle mounting hole A1 as shown in FIG. 6. The annular flange A2 annularly abuts an outer surface of the surrounding panel 12. The abutting flange 13 and the main body engaging segment 124 clamps the annular flange A2, thereby fixing the concealed handle B on the main body A.

The cover 20 is disposed in the finger inserting opening 122 and is movable toward the end panel 11 in the finger accommodating space 121. Two opposite surfaces of the cover 20 are respectively a cover inner surface 21 and a cover outer surface 22. The cover outer surface 22 is preferably aligned with an outer appearance surface 132, which is away from the end panel 11, of the abutting flange 13 of the case 10. In a preferred embodiment, multiple cover limiting walls 23 and multiple hook segments 24 protrude from the cover inner surface 21 of the cover 20. The cover limiting wall 23 is disposed on a periphery of the cover inner surface 21.

With referenced to FIGS. 5 and 7, the moving structure is mounted between the cover 20 and the end panel 11 of the case 10, and has two resilient elements 32. The resilient elements 32 push the cover 20 away from the end panel 11. In a preferred embodiment, the moving structure further has multiple case limiting segments 123 and multiple cover limiting segments 31.

The case limiting segments 123 are formed on the surrounding panel 12, and each one of the case limiting segments 123 is preferably an elongated hole. The case limiting segments 123 are respectively mounted on two opposite sides of the surrounding panel 12. One of two ends of the case limiting segment 123 is adjacent to the abutting flange 13, and the other end of the case limiting segment 123 linearly extends toward the end panel 11.

The cover limiting segment 31 s are formed on the cover 20, and each one of the cover limiting segments 31 preferably protrudes out of the cover inner surface 21 of the cover 20 to form a pin. An outer end of the cover limiting segment 31 protrudes out of a side of cover 20 and is mounted through the case limiting segment 123.

The resilient element 32 pushes the cover 20 toward the end panel 11, until the cover limiting segment 31 abuts the end, which is adjacent to the abutting flange 13, of the case limiting segment 123. As such, the case limiting segments 123 and the cover limiting segments 31 can limit the movement range of the cover 20. Therefore, the resilient element 32 can push the cover 20 exactly to the finger inserting opening 122, thereby preventing the cover 20 from protruding out of or retracting into the finger inserting opening 122.

Besides, the cover limiting segment 31 is mounted through the case limiting segment 123, thereby preventing the cover limiting segment 31 from easily separating from the case limiting segment 123 during the movement of the cover 20.

With referenced to FIG. 6, furthermore, the annular flange A2 of the main body A forms multiple recesses A21, which correspond to the case limiting segments 123 and the cover limiting segments 31. The cover limiting segment 31 is movable into the recess A21 to increase the movement distance of the cover 20.

In another preferred embodiment, the cover limiting segment 31 is not limited to be mounted through the case limiting segment 123. For example, the case limiting segment 123 may be a protrusion and is mounted in the cover limiting segment 31. The shapes of the cover limiting segment 31 and the case limiting segment 123 are not limited thereto, as long as the cover limiting segments 31 correspond to the case limiting segments 123 respectively in position, and the cover limiting segments 31 and the case limiting segments 123 can abut each other to limit the movement range of the cover 20 when the resilient element 32 pushes the cover 20 away from the end panel 11.

With referenced to FIGS. 8 and 9, in a preferred embodiment, the resilient element 32 is a compression spring, and two ends of the resilient element 32 respectively abut the end panel 11 of the case 10 and the cover inner surface 21 of the cover 20. An end, which abuts the cover inner surface 21, of the resilient element 32 engages with the hook segment 24 of the cover 20, such that the end of the resilient element 32 is fixed on the cover 20, thereby facilitating mounting of the resilient element 32 inside the case 10.

In another preferred embodiment, the moving structure may be implemented without the case limiting segments 123 and the cover limiting segments 31, as long as the moving structure can be connected to the cover 20 and make the cover 20 stay at the finger inserting opening 122. For example, the hook segment 24 of the cover 20 is connected to the resilient element 32, which prevents the cover 20 from protruding out of the finger inserting opening 122.

When a user wants to move the present invention, his fingers can easily push the cover 20 toward the end panel 11 of the case 10, and thus the user's fingers can insert into the finger accommodating space 121 to conveniently move the present invention. When the cover 20 moves relative to the case 10, the cover limiting wall 23 abuts an inner surface of the surrounding panel 12 to prevent the cover 20 from flipping and getting stuck in the finger accommodating space 121 during the movement. When the user stops pushing the cover 20, the cover 20 is pushed back by the resilient element 32 to the finger inserting opening 122 to cover and hide the finger accommodating space 121.

To sum up, the moveable cover 20 in the finger inserting opening 122 of the case 10 of the concealed handle B not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the main body A, but also prevents dirt from entering the finger accommodating space 121 from the finger inserting opening 122.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A concealed handle comprising: a case having an end panel; a surrounding panel formed on a side surface of the end panel, and surrounding the end panel to form a finger accommodating space; and a finger inserting opening communicating with the finger accommodating space; and an abutting flange protruding out of an edge of the finger inserting opening; a cover disposed in the finger inserting opening and being movable toward the end panel in the finger accommodating space; two opposite surfaces of the cover respectively being a cover inner surface and a cover outer surface; and a moving structure mounted between the cover and the end panel of the case and having at least one resilient element pushing the cover away from the end panel.
 2. The concealed handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moving structure further comprises multiple case limiting segments formed on the surrounding panel; and multiple cover limiting segments formed on the cover; wherein the at least one resilient element pushes the cover away from the end panel till the cover limiting segments respectively abut the case limiting segments.
 3. The concealed handle as claimed in claim 2, wherein each one of the case limiting segments is an elongated hole; the case limiting segments are respectively disposed on two opposites sides of the surrounding panel and extend toward the end panel; and the cover limiting segments are respectively movably mounted in the case limiting segments.
 4. The concealed handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one resilient element of the moving structure is a compression spring, and two ends of the at least one resilient element respectively abut the end panel of the case and the cover inner surface of the cover.
 5. The concealed handle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one resilient element of the moving structure is a compression spring, and two ends of the at least one resilient element respectively abut the end panel of the case and the cover inner surface of the cover.
 6. The concealed handle as claimed in claim 4, wherein multiple hook segments are formed on the cover inner surface of the cover, and the hook segments engage with the end, which abuts the cover inner surface, of the at least one resilient element.
 7. The concealed handle as claimed in claim 5, wherein multiple hook segments are formed on the cover inner surface of the cover, and the hook segments engage with the end, which abuts the cover inner surface, of the at least one resilient element.
 8. The concealed handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein multiple cover limiting walls protrude out of the cover inner surface of the cover, and the cover limiting walls are disposed on a periphery of the cover inner surface.
 9. The concealed handle as claimed in claim 7, wherein multiple cover limiting walls protrude out of the cover inner surface of the cover, and the cover limiting walls are disposed on a periphery of the cover inner surface.
 10. The concealed handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover outer surface of the cover is aligned with a surface, which is away from the end panel, of the abutting flange of the case.
 11. The concealed handle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cover outer surface of the cover is aligned with a surface, which is away from the end panel, of the abutting flange of the case when the cover limiting segments respectively abut the case limiting segments.
 12. The concealed handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the abutting flange of the case surrounds the edge of the finger inserting opening and forms a loop.
 13. The concealed handle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the abutting flange of the case surrounds the edge of the finger inserting opening and forms a loop.
 14. The concealed handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the case further comprises a main body engaging segment protruding out of an outer surface of the surrounding panel, and spaced apart from the abutting flange.
 15. The concealed handle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the case further comprises a main body engaging segment protruding out of an outer surface of the surrounding panel, and spaced apart from the abutting flange.
 16. An air conditioning device comprising: a main body having at least one handle mounting hole formed on at least one side wall of the main body; at least one concealed handle as claimed in claim 1 and mounted in the at least one handle mounting hole on the at least one side wall of the main body; a surface, which is towards the end panel, of the abutting flange of the case of the at least one concealed handle abutting an opening edge of the at least one handle mounting hole. 